More charges suggested for man who berated hunter for legally killing bear near Snowmass

ASPEN — A 68-year-old Pitkin County man who allegedly berated a hunter for legally killing a bear next door to his property earlier this month may face a third charge in connection with the incident.

Thomas Andersen, who’s already been charged with felony arson and misdemeanor disorderly conduct, should also face a charge of harassment of a hunter, according to a report by a Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer filed Wednesday with the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.

The charge is justified because Andersen came across the property line of the private ranch near Snowmass Village, where the hunter had received permission to hunt, and yelled at the hunter, his two young children and the ranch caretaker’s wife, according to the report by wildlife officer Kurtis Tesch.

Andersen later allegedly poured gasoline on the driveway in retaliation for shooting the bear, Tesch wrote in his report.

A person violates the statute by intentionally harassing “any person lawfully participating in the activity of hunting, trapping and fishing by the use of threats or actions,” according to Tesch’s report. Penalties include a fine of $500 to $1,000.

Prosecutor Don Nottingham declined to comment Wednesday about whether the charge would be officially added to the counts against Andersen.